Discovering “AVA Farm” — A Small Farm with Big Ideas by Yongyuth Ruaylap

The charm of Khao Yai lies not only in its pristine forests teeming with diverse flora, but also in the people who come from many different walks of life to make their home here. Each new face adds another piece to the puzzle, enriching the image of this land of happiness.

Among them is “Ae – Yongyuth Ruaylap,” owner of AVA Farm 888. Originally an outsider, he fell in love with Khao Yai and, around the year 2000, decided to purchase more than 25 rai of land in Phaya Yen Subdistrict, Pak Chong District, to serve as his retirement home.

“I was born in Ayutthaya, in a riverside orchard home. My mother was a vendor. Growing up, I wanted to study agriculture, but my family wouldn’t allow it. So, I chose to study electronics instead, and later continued with computers at Phranakhon North, which was still a technical college back then. I studied hardware with the aim of becoming an engineer or technician—something very new at the time.”

After graduation, he had opportunities to join big-name companies such as Siemens or IBM. Yet he deliberately chose a small computer company, because he already had a goal in mind: to one day run his own business.

He began his career by joining a small company, laying the groundwork for his dream of one day running his own business.

“The reason I chose a small company was because I wanted to become a business owner. That idea first came to me during my internship at a computer firm in the Silom district. I was assigned to the repair department, which had very little to do—mostly replacing parts. I felt it was such a waste of time. Meanwhile, the sales department was overwhelmed, so I volunteered to answer phones and deliver documents. That work felt familiar, like what I used to do as a child. It felt natural.”

With that mindset, Ae—driven by his vision of entrepreneurship—started his career at a small company as a Sales Engineer, a very new role at the time. After about five years in the system, he decided to branch out and start his own company.

“I went into business for myself sooner than most of my peers. In 1997, I opened a computer company that sold everything. It was right when the financial bubble burst, but IT was on the rise, so it was actually a good moment. Later, we expanded into telecommunications and communication technology. But my wife, Yui, and I always had a shared goal: to retire at 40. We both enjoyed practicing meditation, and since we had no children, we felt that by the time we hit 40, it would be enough.”

The computer business thrived despite the economic downturn, giving him the chance to grow both personally and professionally. But once he reached a point of fulfillment, his thoughts began to shift toward life after retirement.

“In the final stage of my career, I worked on cell sites—mobile phone signal towers. Our company was outsourced by Alcatel, and I had the opportunity to build hundreds of towers in the South. It was exciting work. Back then it was still CP Orange, but when it transitioned to True, I gradually stepped away.”

Impressed by Khao Yai, He Decided to Buy Land

Ae recalls that Khao Yai had been close to his heart since childhood. A devoted reader, one of the books that left the strongest impression on him was Phet Phra Uma by Phanom Thian, which stirred in him the dream of becoming a jungle adventurer. Every school break, he would make his way to Khao Yai by any means possible—often hitchhiking with his close high school friends from Ayutthaya. The group of four or five considered themselves stylish if they had nothing more than a tarpaulin to cover their truck, or better yet, a machete strapped at their side. Back then, there weren’t many places to stay, but simply being able to explore and immerse themselves in nature was already pure joy.

His lifelong companion is his wife, Yui—Phetcharat Ruaylap, a former nurse and public health academic. Their romance began in high school: Ae studied at Ayutthaya Wittayalai School, while Yui attended Chomsurang Upatham School. Their love grew steadily until they married after working for some time. Both shared the same vision of retiring at forty, as well as a mutual interest in practicing meditation. Fate eventually led them back to Khao Yai when Yui’s elder brother invited them to visit a friend who had ordained as a monk there.

The moment they arrived in Khao Yai and felt the cool, refreshing air, both were instantly enchanted.

“We bought land in Phaya Yen Subdistrict back in 2000—half-jokingly, to escape the Y2K scare,” Ae recalled with a laugh. “It was meant for retirement. At the time, it was just an open field, a former corn farm.”

Yui added, “My brother invited us to visit a monk friend of his at a nearby hermitage. I still remember—it was April. As soon as we opened the car door, we were struck by the cool breeze, such a contrast to the sweltering heat of Bangkok. After that, we came every weekend until we finally decided to buy land from the local villagers. Now, we have about 40,000 square meters.”

From a Retirement Dream of Rest to Growing and Selling Trees

Ae shared that back then, retiring at forty was still an unfamiliar idea. “We had no clue what retirement at forty would actually look like, nor was there anyone to ask. All we thought was: no more work.”

“My intention was simply to come here and rest to my heart’s content,” he laughed. “When I was working, I was always pushing myself too hard, chasing goals like some young millionaire. People would say, ‘You don’t even have kids, why work so much?’ But I had a purpose: I worked so that I wouldn’t have to keep working. It wasn’t the kind of work that brought happiness, but I could do it—and I was responsible enough to see things through. That’s just who I am. I had my limit, and once I reached it, forcing myself to go beyond would have been no fun at all.”

Life in Khao Yai, he said, was simply comfortable. “Once we started coming here, we didn’t want to go back to Bangkok. At first, it was just weekends—Friday through Sunday. Then we added Thursday, then Monday to Wednesday. In the end, we just stopped going back altogether,” he recalled with a laugh.

“That was twenty years ago. Today, Khao Yai has changed. We’ve become more aware of it, talking with friends here over the years. We first came because of the cool climate—after all, this area is called Phaya Yen, ‘the cool valley.’ But every year now, we notice it getting hotter. Still, it’s better than down below.”

Initially, farming wasn’t part of the plan. But once the house was built, planting trees became inevitable. Ae began buying plants—yet often, after purchasing them, he would forget where he had placed them. Ironically, the plants he “lost” often turned out to be rare species, simply because he couldn’t find them again. This happened so often that his wife eventually cut off his budget for buying new plants. That moment became the turning point that led to the creation of AVA Farm.

The Birth of AVA Farm

“AVA Farm began with a problem: Yui wouldn’t let me buy any more plants,” Ae recalled with a smile. “So I started propagating the ones we already had. Once I had the time to really care for them, they no longer ‘went missing’—I could keep an eye on all of them. I began organizing, propagating, and leaving them with plant shops to sell. It wasn’t about making money; it was about exchanging them for new plants. Since my wife had forbidden me to buy more, I sold them to shops at half the usual price, then used the money to buy new ones. To my surprise, the plants sold really well. In comparison, the crops I had planted—like coffee and macadamia—brought almost no return. Harvesting them wasn’t worth the effort. But the plants I loved and propagated turned out to be profitable.”

As he gained new plant varieties, his enthusiasm grew. He kept propagating and selling until he eventually ran out of plants to exchange. At that point, a shop gave Ae a lump sum of 50,000 baht for his plants.

That first sum became the seed money that gave rise to AVA Farm.

Looking at it through the eyes of an explorer, one could see how this post-retirement venture became a source of joy—and even income—while also giving plant lovers easier access to species that were otherwise expensive.

Through consistent care, his skill deepened. AVA Farm succeeded in propagating and cultivating high-value trees that were in demand at the time, such as Silver Oak, Golden Oak, Tea Tree, Italian Cypress, Australian Red Flowering Gum, and Desert Grape. Most notably, Ae refined and selected the best strains of Silver Oak and Golden Oak, registering them with Thailand’s Department of Agriculture under the names “Silver Oak Ava One” and “Golden Oak Ava One.”

Silver Oak Ava One — A High-Value Tree That Absorbs About 106 Tons of Carbon per Acre

Ae explained that when trees are taken from their place of origin and planted elsewhere, mutations can occur—some beneficial, some not. The key, he said, is to select and register the strains with clear, useful characteristics under the Department of Agriculture. “With trees, if you look closely, you’ll find that even when they share the same name, their traits may differ. Take the Thai Yang Na tree, for example—it grows in the Northeast, the North, and the South, but each one is different. If growers don’t understand this, and the name isn’t precise, they can end up planting something that doesn’t meet the intended specifications. Many people overlook this point.”

“Now we have Silver Oak Ava One. Originally from Australia, we imported and cultivated it, carefully selecting for beauty, durability, and strength, while preserving its natural structural qualities. From there, we refined it further to emphasize distinctive characteristics.

It’s now officially registered in Thailand—essentially becoming a ‘Thai native.’ Once a tree has a clearly defined name, well-documented traits, and recognition from a trusted authority, it’s as if it has its own identity card of authenticity.”

The Unique Qualities of Silver Oak Ava One

The first and foremost feature of Silver Oak Ava One lies in its exceptional ability to absorb carbon. In collaboration with academic researchers, AVA Farm conducted a study which found that Silver Oak Ava One can absorb up to about 106 tons of carbon per acre (with 100 trees planted per acre). This makes it one of the most efficient species for carbon credit claims compared to many other trees.

“With international research and both Thai and global standards supporting it, Thai people stand to benefit. We can register this tree with the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization) to claim carbon credits domestically. And if we want to sell credits abroad, there’s the VERRA Standard—an international benchmark for certifying projects and activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability. We can register under that as well.”

Another advantage of Silver Oak Ava One is found underground. Its roots are friendly to small microorganisms, enriching the soil. The roots grow downward at a 45-degree angle rather than spreading along the surface, making the tree urban-friendly—suitable for sidewalks and city landscapes. And, importantly, it is a beautiful and modern-looking tree.

“Today, one of the biggest problems with urban trees is their root systems, which often damage pavements. Silver Oak Ava One, however, is gentle on buildings and roads. It can be planted in cities with fewer issues, while also restoring topsoil and preventing erosion.”

Within just ten years, Silver Oak trees are large enough to be harvested for furniture. At that age, the trunk diameter can reach around 20 inches. The wood is semi-hard with distinctive grain patterns, making it suitable for a variety of wooden products.

“Here, we emphasize the concept of carbon capture. Because the wood lasts for centuries, the carbon remains stored for centuries as well. With carbon taxes on the horizon, we are preparing for the future. It’s about starting small but keeping sight of the bigger picture, so that our small endeavors carry real value.”

Other varieties include Golden Oak Ava One, a golden-leaved species distinct from Silver Oak. Developed and registered by AVA Farm over the past four to five years, it also originates from Australia. Ae envisions pairing it with Silver Oak under the concept of “money trees”—gold and silver standing together.

In addition, there is Tea Tree, whose oil can be extracted for use in cosmetics, as well as Italian Cypress, a highly valued species in strong market demand. Another highlight is the Australian Red Flowering Gum, a striking ornamental tree that blossoms in bright red across its entire canopy. Its flowers last for up to two months, making it well-suited for tropical climates without requiring cooler conditions.

“As for the Australian Red Flowering Gum, I see it as perfect for events. Imagine a street in Khao Yai lined with them—if there’s a two-month-long festival, this tree would be the ideal solution,” Ae explained.

Creating a Premium Forest: Balancing Ecology and Economy

Ae explained that the most exciting discovery came when they realized that, with the right ecosystem, endangered tree species—most of which are economically valuable—could return and thrive.

“Curiosity drove us to explore many things. Over the past 20 years, we’ve been working to establish a sustainable ecosystem at AVA Farm. We don’t practice monoculture, nor do we plant only ornamentals. We started with ornamentals, but gradually developed into a forest system. Today, AVA Farm has a forest covering about 40,000 square meters—one that supports both environmental balance and economic returns. When we found this approach, it was truly exciting.”

He gave an example: “If the goal were purely business, you would plant in large numbers and sell the trees quickly as dug-up ornamentals. That’s a fast turnover. We tried that at AVA Farm. Our thinking was about growing trees to build a house. Not literally planting trees to cut down for lumber—that would take too long, and we might not live to see the result. Instead, the idea was to plant ornamentals in the ground, then sell them as mature, dug-up trees. Within just five years, the sales could generate enough money to build a house.”

“We even ran the numbers from real figures. Ten years ago, Silver Oak Ava One sold for between 3,000 and 10,000 baht per tree. Let’s say an average of 5,000 baht. If you plant 100 trees, you can sell them for 500,000 baht. Now, if you have larger land—say 4,000 trees—and you sell just half, that’s enough to build more than one house. That’s what we mean by ‘growing trees to build houses.’”

Through years of experimentation, Ae concluded that successful agriculture isn’t merely about production or even marketing. “The key is to apply economic analysis before you begin. If you do that, the problems disappear.”

An Ecosystem That Revives Endangered Species: Paya Rachaprab

Ae explained that when the ecosystem is balanced, it can even help preserve endangered medicinal plants. One such plant is Paya Rachaprab, already registered with the Department of Agriculture. Found in Khao Yai, it is known for its powerful detoxifying properties, particularly for the liver.

“How powerful? Imagine drinking all night without getting drunk, or being in an environment with heavy exposure to paint, fumes, or heavy metals—and still being able to flush the toxins out. That’s the level we’re talking about. Of course, it’s still in the research stage,” he said.

Paya Rachaprab is a rare medicinal herb, once part of traditional Thai medicine under the name wild rang jued. But since the name rang jued vine had already been registered, this variant had to be registered under a new name.

Ae explained that the idea of Paya Rachaprab came from the principle of “three forests, four benefits.” “The forest gives shade, but then we asked—what could generate income from that shade? It had to be something of high value; otherwise, it wouldn’t be worth doing, nor would it be challenging. After analysis, we concluded it must be a rare medicinal herb. We consulted experts at a foundation under the Royal Initiative Herb Forest Project, and they confirmed that Paya Rachaprab is indeed high-value but very difficult to cultivate. My thought was—if it were easy, others would have done it already. So we committed to developing it.”

“I see a global market for extracts. If added to food or beverages with detoxifying functions, it would be more than enough. In Thailand, for example, imagine collaborating with energy drink companies—rather than just selling sugar water, they could add this extract for real detox benefits.”

A Good Environment Nourishes the Mind

When the environment is healthy and the ecosystem balanced, it naturally uplifts the spirit—and even supports physical healing.

Ae recounted how, after moving to Khao Yai, he witnessed clear improvements in health. His mother, for instance, came to stay during the great flood of 2011. Previously, she had to be admitted to the hospital three days to a week every month, with the children taking turns to care for her. But once she settled in Khao Yai, she became more refreshed, her memory improved, and her health stabilized. What at first seemed simply the effect of fresh air, Ae later realized, was the holistic influence of the environment. She has now lived in Khao Yai for seven years—without needing to see a doctor.

Another case was his elder sister, who had to retire early to help care for their mother. She had long suffered from allergies and required medication every three months at Bhumibol Hospital. After moving to Khao Yai, her blood tests improved so much that even her doctor asked what she had been doing, eventually reducing her prescription.

“I’ve spoken with some people who say, ‘Of course you’ll promote Khao Yai, since you live there.’ But it’s not just me. Many of my plant customers were stroke patients. Their doctors advised them to move here, and some of them regained the ability to walk. So I’ve come to see Khao Yai as much more than a tourist destination. Imagine if we planted large plots—hundreds of acres—together. It would naturally lead to wellness. Tourists would not only enjoy the scenery but also breathe oxygen from Silver Oak forests, gaining both recreation and better health.”

Transforming Vacant Land into a Beautiful Forest Garden

Ae explained that the forest at AVA Farm is designed as a harmonious landscape: tall trees that absorb carbon and produce oxygen, ornamentals, medicinal plants, fruit trees, and crops. Beyond the 40,000-square-meter farm itself, AVA Farm now manages several hundred more rai of land owned by partners—areas that were once abandoned and left untended. By restoring and managing these properties, AVA Farm has turned idle land that once carried a tax burden into thriving green spaces that generate both beauty and income.

“Khao Yai should never be left with vacant land,” Ae emphasized. “With proper management and the right ecosystem, empty plots can be transformed into forest gardens. This not only beautifies the area but also raises land value, creates safer, more pleasant surroundings, and prevents deterioration into wastelands. It’s about finding balance in the landscape. We’re always happy to share and consult with anyone interested in doing the same.”

In addition to running the tree business, Ae has also set aside 10% of the farm’s seedlings—about 30,000 trees—for CSR projects. These trees are donated for public planting, particularly for religious sites of any faith, provided there is a host committed to caring for them so they are not neglected.

There are still many initiatives Ae and AVA Farm are determined to pursue, carrying forward valuable know-how for others to learn from. For tree lovers, there is no need to hesitate—just drive out to the farm. Ae is confident that anyone who visits will leave with a wealth of inspiration for creating more green spaces of their own.

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